A 37-year-old woman from Battle Creek, Michigan died of unknown medical complications while backpacking at Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. The woman was hiking with her partner when she experienced sudden onset medical complications, lost consciousness, and stopped breathing. CPR was administered, but attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. Other backpackers in the area contacted Michigan State Police through a delayed 911 text message, leading to a response from EMTs and Isle Royale National Park staff.
Isle Royale National Park is known for its remoteness, being one of the most remote national parks in the US. Accessible only by crossing Lake Superior via ferry, seaplane, or private watercraft, the park consists of over 400 islands with limited cell phone service and no vehicles allowed. With relatively few visitors, the park has experienced a low number of deaths since its establishment in 1940.
National parks in the US have seen thousands of deaths over the years, with an average of 358 deaths reported annually from 2014 to 2019. Half of these deaths were due to unintentional causes, often occurring during physical activities like hiking, biking, and swimming. Recent incidents at national parks, including heat exposure deaths at Death Valley National Park and accidents at Grand Canyon National Park, have brought attention to the risks associated with outdoor activities in these remote areas.
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